Are the brake shims absolutely necessary?

I'm asking because the shims on my old trusty '88 Accord are kinda shot.

Thanks.

 

I have heard that without the shims the brakes squeal like a stuck pig.
I found that dealer price is about same as mail order when you add
shipping.

Bob

 

Thanks. I asked but I've been driving around without the shims for around
three weeks. For the record, they don't squeak at all but that may be due to
applying anti-squeal compound to the the back of them.

I just never understood the reason for them although I always made sure to
use them when I changed the pads.

 

Ya think the manufacturer would go to the expense of
making,stocking,installing shims if they could just use anti-squeal
compound?
Do you feel comfortable driving around with parts missing from your BRAKES?
(I wouldn't)

Maybe you could get a set of shims cheaper at a junkyard??

 

I understand that ,Jim. That wasn't my question which you didn't bother to
answer. What's their purpose? I'm gonna get new shims. I certainly didn't
intend to drive around without them for any length of time.

 

The stock Honda shims are usually coated with teflon. When they're used
with the stock Molykote M77 grease (Honda's anti-squeal compound), there's
usually no risk of a comeback with noisy brakes. Aftermarket shims
sometimes have a problematic fit and sometimes the aftermarket brake pads
don't have the correct pins which help to hold the shims in place. Gluing
aftermarket shims to aftermarket pads with the sticky silencer spray can
sometimes work, however, I've had bad luck with the shims sliding down so I
just removed them. I currently have no shims on the front brakes and
haven't noticed a problem. Note that I do use the stock Molykote M77
silencer grease on the pad baking plates.

Eric

 

Thanks,Eric